Statement of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on 53rd Tibetan Democracy Day

posted Sep 8, 2013, 6:02 PM by The Tibetan Political Review

Fifty-three years ago, on
this day the 2nd September in 1960, the Tibetan democratic system
formally came into existence with the first directly elected
representatives taking oath of office in
accordance with the advice and wishes of Tibetan people’s supreme leader
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who believed that Tibet should follow the
democratic system which was congruent with the general trend of the
modern world. It is also more than two years since His Holiness the
Dalai Lama devolved all the political and administrative authority to
the people’s elected leaders. During this period, constant endeavour
was made and continues to be so primarily to advance the Tibetan
people’s struggle for truth and improve the efficiency of the main as
well as the branch offices of the Central Tibetan Administration. These
are a sign clearly indicating that the Central Tibetan Administration
will be able to sustain firmly with progress and development until the
issue of Tibet remains unresolved. However, all the Tibetan people must,
as per the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, strive ceaselessly to
improve the efficiency and progress of this fully democratic
Administration.

More than 54 years have elapsed since the whole of Tibet was forcibly
occupied by Communist China. During these years China has used various
devious and coercive methods to completely destroy the Tibetan identity,
religion, culture, language, custom, etc with the evil design of
transforming Tibet into a Chinese land. Tibetan people are oppressed and
discriminated. Tibet’s environment is being destroyed in every respect.
Moreover, the Chinese government has carried out repressive measures
against the Tibetan people, who with unwavering loyalty to His Holiness
the Dalai Lama and adhering firmly to the unchanging Tibetan national
spirit have opposed the Chinese government by expressing their
resentment to the above policies. Through various campaigns against the
authorities. Due to these repressive policies, so far, 120 Tibetan men
and women have self-immolated themselves as a peaceful protest from 2009
till date, thus giving rise to the urgent situation. However, the
Chinese government has not shown any understanding of its responsibility
of probing into the demands and aspirations of the self-immolators. In
addition, the Chinese government has humiliated the self-immolators;
falsely implicated His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan
Administration for instigating them; attempted to conceal incidents of
self-immolation from leaking out; imposed severe restriction in towns
and monasteries which are the main sites of self-immolation; innocent
relatives are accused, arrested and imprisoned; and are accused of
murder for which some are even given death sentences. Such mistreatment
and torture continues to be perpetrated. Therefore, contrary to
respecting and maintaining the human rights of the Tibetan people, the
Chinese government continues to carry out actions, totally disregarding
all the appeals made by nations, leaders and organizations who value
democracy, freedom, truth and justice.

Recently, Mr. Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of National Political
Consultative Committee and Member of Standing Committee of Political
Bureau of the Government of the People’s Republic of China visited Tibet
for inspection. At the time he said that the Dalai Lama’s demand for
‘Greater Tibet’ and ‘high degree of autonomy’ contravenes China’s
constitution and regional national autonomy law, adding further that
such demands breach the basic interest of Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness
the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration have strifed for
genuine autonomy for all Tibetans as per the provisions contained in the
PRC constitution and autonomy law, which clearly spell out the right to
regional ethnic autonomy. To say that this breaches the constitution
clearly exposes the insincerity, hypocrisy and true face of Chinese
communist autocrats who are illegally destroying Tibetan race, religion
and culture. No prove is given which would suggest the breach of the PRC
constitution. The Central Tibetan Administration has repeatedly
explained to the Chinese government the essence of the mutually
beneficial Middle Way Policy, which is based upon the coexistence of the
two communities within the framework of PRC constitution and the
entitlement of equal rights and prerogatives to the Tibetan people as is
enjoyed by the other national minorities. However, the Chinese leaders
have not only interpreted this incorrectly as breaching the
constitution, the Tibetan people’s aspiration is intentionally
misinterpreted as secessionist. This kind of publicity is a total
disregard to all and opposed to the truth; a misrepresentation of
reality and a shameless version of astonishing proportions.

Under the so-called policy of helping Tibetan monks, nuns and
monasteries, the Chinese government has been forcing the monasteries to
fly the Chinese National flag, display portraits of Chinese leaders and
purposely carries out activities such as the resented ‘patriotic
education’, purposely setting up of radio and television connections, in
the monasteries for which are a source of disturbance to religious
studies and meditation. For example, a total number of 6575 Chinese
cadres have been stationed in 1787 monasteries in the so-called Tibet
Autonomous Region alone. These cadres are used for the political
objectives of the Chinese government. Such acts must be stopped and
reforms must be carried out.

Since 1 July this year, an exhibition distorting the history of
former resident Amban or Chinese Representative in Tibet has been on
display, thus spreading lies to the domestic and international tourists
and visitors. Likewise, the so-called ‘genuine background drama Wenchen-Kunjo has
been performed in Lhasa beginning 1st August of this year for which the
Chinese government has invested millions of dollars. This is a
performance aimed at political necessity to indoctrinate and distort
history. Therefore, people of the world including Tibetans and Chinese
must be careful not to fall a prey to such deceit and enticement.

Safeguarding the ecology of Tibet is not only in the interest of
Tibet and China, it is also linked to the lives of several hundred
million sentient beings spread across the eastern and northern parts of
the world. It has become a subject of major interest by global
environmentalists and meteorologists. But, the Chinese government, on
one hand, continues calling for building Tibet and strengthening of
environment protection along with long-time stability, development and
aid to challenge the opponents. On the other hand, every possible
measure is taken to remove Tibetan nomads in order to facilitate the
extraction of Tibet’s natural resources which is transforming the very
appearance of the land. Implementing the so-called ‘Three-Red- Lines’
strategy as a principle for the extraction of minerals everywhere, the
Chinese government has set up mines in all parts of Tibet to extract
valuable minerals such as gold, silver, copper, iron and many other
minerals. Huge amounts of Tibet’s mineral products and natural resources
are transported to China. To fulfill the need of population transfer,
the so-called Tibet -Tsongon railway is being expanded and new direct
railway tracks are being laid from the railway station of NaGormo to
many cities of China. Another project expanding the railway line from
Lhasa to other parts of Tibet has been started. Similarly, under the
pretext of modernization and development, numerous dams have been built
and continue to be constructed in all parts of Tibet. Consequences of
these will befall the globe in general, specially South-East Asia, and
particularly severe damage will be caused to Tibet’s ecology and
protection of Tibetan identity. It is therefore important for everyone
to pay due attention to these activities.

Moreover, local Tibetan people of Tsongon, Yulshul and Zatoe counties
have been living under critical situation since 12th August, 2013
following severe incidents of suppression unleashed on them in response
to their lawful protests against the planned mining of white diamonds.
As such, we firmly appeal to the Chinese government to respect the
dignity and aspirations of the Tibetan people by immediately putting an
end to repression and mining.

This year severe restriction was imposed in the Tibetan areas of
Tawu, Kardze, Lithang, Drakgo, Golok Tawo, Labrang, Machu, Chabcha,
Kumbum monastery, etc during the celebration of the 78th birthday of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. Particularly, when the monks and nuns of
Nyatso and Gaden Choeling in Tawu together with Tibetan people of the
locality were performing the incense offering ceremony on top of Machen
Pomra Mountain as part of the birthday celebrations, four Chinese police
vans and seven military trucks arrived at the site. Without listening
to the explanation given by the Tibetan people, the Chinese police began
beating and shots were fired against the gathering.

Similarly, Lama Dawa Rinpoche of Gaden Dargyeling monastery in Nagchu
Shagrongpo was accused of maintaining communication with His Holiness
the Dalai Lama over the reincarnation of Rongpo Choeje. The monastery
was suppressed leading to the detention of monk officials, closure of
the monastery, suicide of a monk, etc. These incidents clearly prove
that the Chinese policy of religious freedom is a mere empty word.

The unbearable critical situation and problems faced by Tibetans
inside Tibet, literally making days and nights extremely difficult to
pass is caused, firstly, by the lack of democratic system in Tibet and
China till date, and secondly, by the few hardline Chinese leaders. For
Tibetans living in foreign countries, including India, it is a matter of
great joy that they are able to enjoy a high degree of genuine
democracy. Still, we need to tread forward in order to progress higher
and higher. It may be pointed out that preparations be made in earnest
to present this excellent system of democracy as a gift when Tibetans
inside and outside are reunited after a solution to the Tibetan problem
is found.

More than fifty-four years have passed since we sought refuge in
India and other foreign countries. Especially, India has become like a
second home for us. We are profoundly grateful for the extensive aid and
protection provided by the people and government of India. Remembering
and cherishing forever the kindness and seizing the opportunity provided
by this auspicious occasion, we would like to express our heartfelt
gratitude to both the people and government of India, and to the global
leaders, nations, Tibet Support Groups as well as individuals who have
been steadfastly supporting Tibet.

Pursuant to the profound advise continuously given by Tibet’s leader
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we are appealing to all the Tibetan people
in exile to develop and maintain strong friendly relations with the
people of host nations, thereby contributing to the Tibetan people’s
reputation, dignity and security.

In conclusion, we sincerely pray that His Holiness the Dalai Lama
live for as long as hundreds of aeons; may all His sacred wishes be
fulfilled with spontaneity; and may the just cause of Tibet sees its
fruition as swiftly as possible.